Sunday, June 14, 2026
elitecraft
Home News

News

    News category. Breaking, Business and High Profile News.

    Featured posts
    From an SMS pioneer to a globally trusted AI-powered chat commerce innovator Clickatell, a pioneer in mobile messaging and global leader in chat commerce, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of transforming how brands interact and transact with their customers. Founded in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2000,, Clickatell made history as the first company to connect businesses on the internet with consumers on mobile phones via SMS, using just four lines of code. Today, it powers AI-driven chat commerce experiences for leading enterprises across banking, retail, travel, telecoms, healthcare and more, trusted by global brands including Fiserv, Ria, Discovery, Absa, Tymebank, Standard bank, FlySafair, Clientèle, Pick n Pay, Massmart (Walmart), MTN, Telkom, Toyota, Europcar, and thousands of additional businesses across the US, Europe, and the Global South markets. Over 25 years, Clickatell has continued to innovate and introduced a series of industry firsts, including the world’s first tokenized payments in WhatsApp; KYC-compliant chat banking; best-in-class conversational commerce utility use cases; and the launch of Chat-2-Pay in partnership with Visa. Its award-winning, enterprise-grade AI-powered Chat Commerce Platform enables leading consumer brands to interact and transact with customers in the same chat interface they use every day to run their lives. “From day one, our mission has been to give people back their time,” said Pieter de Villiers, Co-Founder and CEO of Clickatell. “As we celebrate 25 years, we’re proud to continue helping enterprises deliver on this mission by creating trusted, meaningful, and convenient customer experiences in chat. We don’t believe any brand wants to place customers on hold and with Clickatell’s AI-powered Chat Commerce Platform, they don’t have to. A ‘no hold, no app, no friction’ customer-first experience is possible as we enter the age of agentic commerce.” In addition, Clickatell remains deeply committed to social impact in South Africa, where it was founded and where a large portion of its workforce is based. Through initiatives such as Endeavor SA , SiMODiSA, and The Collective X, the company supports entrepreneurship, equips youth with vital digital skills, and creates pathways for inclusive economic growth. Looking ahead, Clickatell sees the evolution of its AI-powered Chat Commerce Platform into an agentic commerce layer within organizations, where every customer interaction can lead to a secure transaction, underpinned by convenient, effortless customer experiences. At Clickatell we envision a world where every customer interaction is as effortless and instant as a friendly chat - saving time, building trust, and transforming how businesses deliver service and commerce. Clickatell’s AI-powered Chat Commerce Platform enables enterprises to deliver secure, digital commerce and services inside the chat channels consumers already use. By turning every message into an opportunity for engagement, revenue, and loyalty, Clickatell helps businesses make customer experiences faster, simpler, and effortless, while giving time back to customers. Trusted by leading global brands, Clickatell is at the forefront of conversational and agentic commerce, uniting customer channels, event-driven orchestration, models with memory, and embedded payments so that every interaction drives measurable outcomes. We reduce cost-to-serve and lift conversion with secure, compliant, digital self-serve experiences.
    News

    Clickatell Celebrates 25 Years as it Enters the Age of Agentic...

    Staff Writer -
    0
    From an SMS pioneer to a globally trusted AI-powered chat commerce innovator Clickatell, a pioneer in mobile messaging and global...
    By Clean Cooking Africa (CCA) Giraffe Bioenergy is a Kenya-based clean cooking startup focused on scaling the domestic production of cassava for ethanol cooking fuel and for food. The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) spoke with Dr. Linda Davis, CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy, about the company’s mission, its unique value proposition, its business-to-business model, and more. This interview is part of a series of conversations CCA is having with business leaders across the clean cooking sector. Tell us about Giraffe Bioenergy’s services. Dr. Linda Davis (Davis): We are a startup company now entering our growth phase, and our mission is domestically-produced, ethanol cooking fuel, with women as the driving force across the value chain, from cassava production to processing. Currently, ethanol is enjoyed by over one million households in Kenya. What we’re saying at Giraffe Bioenergy is, we have all the ingredients — vast amounts of land, skilled labor, and the political will — to scale up domestic production of cassava-based ethanol. Ours will be the first production unit specifically for Kenya’s ethanol cooking market. CCA: How do you retail cassava-based ethanol? Davis: I’m so excited to be in a business-to-business organization. If I can use KOKO Networks as an example, we will be retailing directly to them. KOKO Networks has a fuel supply and operating partnership with Vivo Energy, an independent, pan-African company that markets and distributes Shell-branded products in Kenya. Therefore, our business would be between Giraffe Bioenergy and Vivo Energy, which handles transportation and distribution for KOKO Networks up to a certain point before they manage the last-mile distribution. We expect our retail operations to be similar for all other customers. There are several emerging ethanol last-mile distributors for clean cooking fuel. For us, it’s straightforward: bring your tanker truck to our farm gate, we will fill it up, you write us a check, and off you go. So, we’re not really in the end-user retail market but primarily in the business wholesale market. CCA: What is your assessment of ethanol demand in Kenya? Davis: Our first ethanol plant produces 15 million liters every year. That is still a fraction of current ethanol cooking fuel demand, and an even smaller fraction of where the general ethanol market is expected to be. Under the Kenya National Clean Cooking Strategy, 30% of Kenya’s households are expected to transition to ethanol. That’s over 4 million households multiplied by the 16 liters of ethanol that the average family uses every month. The point is: demand definitely surpasses supply. CCA: Where do you envision most of your customer base being located? Davis: Right now, the biggest player in Kenya is KOKO Networks, and their customers are low-income, high-density urban communities. We are talking about people with incomes, who already have a budget dedicated to cooking fuel. What we, as the ethanol production and retail community, are saying is, “Give us the $25-30 you spend on charcoal and kerosene every month, and we will give you a clean, more affordable solution in its place.” In rural areas, on the other hand, households do not have a budget for cooking fuel. Their fuel is, quote-unquote, free. They are foraging for firewood, cutting trees, or using dried animal waste. It’s a difficult market to enter because you’re telling folks who are already poor, who think that fuel is “free,” that we need $30 from them. I’m sure KOKO and others will support that market at some point, but due to the costs of distribution, ethanol and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) necessarily have to be focused on urban and peri-urban areas right now. CCA: What makes Giraffe Bioenergy different from others in the clean cooking space? Davis: We’re unique because we’re the only ones taking advantage of clean cooking as a development issue. Clean cooking is a job creation opportunity. Clean cooking is a rural bioeconomy issue. Our agricultural system, at the scale of the first ethanol plant, will directly engage 1,500 farmers with meaningful employment, good wages, and both employment and harvest-based income. We are deploying a model where women work on our farms while also growing cassava on their own farms. We are really encouraging women to take the learnings from the central nucleus farm and apply them at home to attain high cassava yields, which translate into higher incomes. Another reason we are doing well is because we are completing the circular economy. Right now, ethanol suppliers in Kenya are making global farmers richer by buying their ethanol, which is highly subsidized. We’re saying, “We can close that loop” because everything is locally produced. We are providing an elegant, local solution to a uniquely sub-Saharan African problem. CCA: Ethanol can be made from a range of different agricultural products. Why does Giraffe Bioenergy use cassava? Davis: Ethanol is produced from the starch molecule, regardless of the source. The U.S. produces it from corn; in Europe, from wheat; in Thailand and China, from cassava; basically, from wherever we have excess starch. In Kenya, our choice is guided by the fact that cassava is not considered a staple food crop. The Kenya Ethanol Cooking Fuel Industry Masterplan, released in 2021, evaluated various feedstocks for ethanol production and cassava was identified as a viable option. Can you eat the cassava grown for ethanol? Absolutely, but there are practical considerations. One cassava tree can yield up to 20 kilograms (kg) of food, which spoils within 24-48 hours. A family can’t consume 20 kg of cassava in 24 hours. So, by virtue of its bulk, cassava is suitable for commercial production, with alternative end-users like ourselves in the ethanol production business. At Giraffe Bioenergy, I know my tagline is cheesy, but I stand by it: “We stand tall for food and fuel.” You can consume cassava as much as you want, but because we grow it in semi-arid, marginal land that is not suitable for other crops, the real value is bringing farmers into a formal agricultural system and putting money in their pocket to be able to diversify their food options and become food secure. Importantly from a food policy standpoint, we do not substitute cassava for existing food crops grown on fertile land. Kenya doesn’t have large-scale cassava production, which is why Giraffe Bioenergy had to start from the agricultural level. Initially, I wasn’t enthusiastic about this, but now I am very much a cassava farmer. Cassava makes sense for Kenya. CCA: Are there other considerations that make Kenya a priority country for developing this business? Davis: Yes, Kenya is unique for three reasons. First, Kenya has vast amounts of underutilized, semi-arid land with unreliable rainfall and depleted soils where cassava grows well, so we’re not encroaching on agrarian land. Second, Kenya recognizes ethanol as a significant solution to the cooking fuel challenge. By 2028, 50% of Kenyans are expected to use LPG, 30% ethanol, and 10% electricity, with the remainder using biogas, firewood, and charcoal. The political will is there. And finally, Kenya has a developed last-mile ethanol market. CCA: Are there any barriers to aggregating farmers and land to scale up your production? Davis: Unlike the flatlands in the American Midwest or the Canadian prairies, in Kenya agricultural land isn’t as contiguous, making mechanization difficult. Additionally, the communities we work in have entered a devastating cycle of self-destruction. The largest income earner in Kilifi County, where we work, is charcoal burning. Young men cut the trees near the road, and when those are gone, they ask for their inheritance, sell their land, and buy motorcycles to go deeper into the forest to produce more charcoal. It is as heartbreaking as it sounds. For biorefineries to be successful, we need a nucleus farm that we own and operate alongside a smallholder supporting system. We’ve already secured the contiguous lands we need for our first biorefinery, but if I’m compelled to require a larger production share from smallholders due to a lack of contiguous land suitable for a nucleus farm and, therefore, reduce participation as an owner/operator, it could be challenging in the future. CCA: Who do you see as your primary business partners — at this moment and as your company continues to grow? Davis: My primary partners are my governance and management team, who help with advising, fundraising, and executing our agricultural operations. We’re also partnering with food producers to commercialize clean seedlings, addressing concerns around food versus fuel. NGOs are key partners in distributing clean seedlings for food to smallholder farmers, since cassava serves as a backstop to maize, especially in semi-arid areas that are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Government ministries that focus on energy and agriculture are interested in seeing us succeed in catalyzing both the food and fuel systems. Finally, our investment partners are critical for our early-stage funding.
    News

    Giraffe Bioenergy: Building a Cassava-to-Ethanol Ecosystem in East Africa

    Staff Writer -
    0
    By Clean Cooking Africa (CCA) Giraffe Bioenergy is a Kenya-based clean cooking startup focused on scaling the domestic production...
    Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and the rise of Binance He releases Freedom of Money, a Memoir Reflecting on the Rise of Crypto and the Story Behind Binance The memoir also reflects on the challenges that came with building at such speed, including the pressures of scaling a global company, regulatory scrutiny as the industry matured, and CZ’s personal experience serving a four month sentence in a U.S. federal prison Few figures have been as closely associated with the rise of the cryptocurrency industry as Binance (www.Binance.com) co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). In his new memoir,  Freedom of Money, A Memoir of Protecting Users, Resilience, and the Founding of Binance,  CZ offers a candid account of the early days of crypto, the rapid explosion of Binance, and the personal consequences of building at the centre of one of the fastest moving industries in modern finance.   Available globally from 08th April 2026 on Amazon Kindle and Paperback, Freedom of Money traces CZ’s journey from his early life and unconventional path into technology through the founding and rapid growth of Binance during a period when the cryptocurrency industry was expanding at unprecedented speed. Part memoir and part reflection on the evolution of digital assets, the book offers readers a builder’s perspective on what it was like to grow a global platform in a new industry where the rules were still being written. “While many people congratulated me on being number one, something else gave me more satisfaction,” CZ writes in the book. “I was getting messages from users all around the world thanking us for providing them with financial access or even financial freedom.” The memoir also reflects on the challenges that came with building at such speed, including the pressures of scaling a global company, regulatory scrutiny as the industry matured, and CZ’s personal experience serving a four month sentence in a U.S. federal prison. “This memoir is not a sanitized corporate story,” CZ said. “It reflects on what it was like to build during a time when the crypto industry was still taking shape - the successes, the mistakes, and the lessons that came from both.” Alongside the events that defined CZ’s career, Freedom of Money explores broader themes of money, technology and responsibility, and how his views on financial freedom have evolved over time. Reflecting on a Defining Period in Crypto Over the past decade, Binance has played a significant role in the growth of the digital asset ecosystem, helping support the development of infrastructure used by millions of users globally. Freedom of Money provides CZ’s personal perspective on that period of rapid innovation and expansion in the cryptocurrency industry. Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, said: “The story of Binance is closely tied to the early evolution of the crypto industry. Freedom of Money offers a founder’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities that shaped digital assets during their formative years.” Yi He, Co-Ceo of Binance, added: “The early days of crypto were fast-moving and full of possibility, even if not always fully understood. This book captures the energy of building in that moment and the incredible progress the industry has made since.” Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, said: “For many people, the story of crypto has been told through headlines and market cycles. What this book offers is a first person account from someone who helped build the infrastructure behind the industry’s growth. Availability Freedom of Money (https://apo-opa.co/4muGafd) is available globally 08 April 2026 on Amazon Kindle and Paperback. The book is published in English and Chinese, with additional translations under consideration. All proceeds from CZ’s authorship of the book will be donated to charity
    News

    King of Crypto

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and the rise of Binance He releases Freedom of Money, a Memoir Reflecting on the Rise of Crypto...
    Offering the perfect blend of comfort, safety, convenience and personal development, Homescope Hostels is setting a new standard for student accommodation in Kenya. More than just a place to stay, these residences create a vibrant and nurturing environment designed to empower students from all over the world and provide them with a memorable living experience in Kenya. Exceptional Amenities and Benefits Homescope Hostels are equipped with a wide range of modern amenities tailored to meet the needs of the residents. These include spacious rooms, study areas, high-speed internet connectivity, well-furnished common rooms, and fully equipped kitchens. The hostels are designed to foster both academic focus and relaxation, creating an ideal balance for student life. All the residences come with transport services. Gender Segregation The hostels also have gender-segregated accommodations, with a dedicated female-only facility located in South C, and another branch in Mbagathi offering separate sections for male and female residents. This concept ensures a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. Comfortable and Well-Designed Ensuite Rooms The rooms at Homescope Hostels are thoughtfully designed with student comfort in mind. Each room is ensuite with its own dedicated bathroom and kitchenette equipped with appliances, ergonomic study desks, ample storage space, comfortable bedding, and proper ventilation to ensure a pleasant living experience. Residents can choose between single or shared occupancy options, catering to individual preferences and budgets. Safety and Security Safety is a top priority at Homescope Hostels. The premises are equipped with 24/7 security personnel, CCTV surveillance, and secure access systems to ensure complete peace of mind for the residents. Community and Support Homescope Hostels envisions an enduring community where residents live, learn, and launch dreams for the future. Through a commitment to varied career and self-development programs, the goal is to empower residents to connect, grow, and achieve their aspirations. The rooms at Homescope Hostels are thoughtfully designed with student comfort in mind. Locations On a mission to create more vibrant communities where students can thrive, study, and live comfortably, Homescope Hostels currently has two residences in Nairobi and a booking office in Mombasa. Located along Muhoho avenue, the South C residence offers a serene atmosphere ideal for studying and relaxation. The spacious rooms are designed with sustainability in mind, featuring energy-efficient appliances and exclusive study areas. Residents enjoy modern, eco-friendly living spaces surrounded by scenic city views. The Prof. J.M Kyambi branch, situated along Mbaruk road in Mbagathi area, places residents at the heart of the city’s vibrant culture with an internal environment that fosters a peaceful community for learning and resting. Just a few blocks from Ngong road and Mbagathi road, this modern facility provides easy access to Daystar and Strathmore universities, the Kenya Medical Training College (Nairobi campus), and Riara university among other institutions. Join the Homescope Hostels Community Combining contemporary design, tranquil living and centrality to the city’s hotspots, Homescope Hostels are the dream for students who enjoy relaxation and proximity to both academic and social opportunities.
    News

    Homescope Hostels: Transforming higher learning experiences

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Offering the perfect blend of comfort, safety, convenience and personal development, Homescope Hostels is setting a new standard for student accommodation in...
    News

    From unicorn founder to impact investor

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Melvyn Lubega has seamlessly transitioned from an innovator to a Venture Capital investor By Andile...
    News

    Powering Africa’s Digital Future

    Staff Writer -
    0
    The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) (https://GABI.UNGlobalCompact.org) has shifted its new Digital and Health Action Pathways into a higher gear in order to...
    Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO), a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries. Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, 'digital-first' banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets. Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint. Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.” Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.” He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”
    News

    Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank...

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO), a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement...
    Çelebi Aviation (www.CelebiAviation.com) has announced its entry into the Kenyan market, marking a key milestone in its expansion across Africa and reinforcing its focus on high-potential regions. With more than 65 years of experience in ground handling and cargo services, the company continues to operate with a strong emphasis on transparency, ethical standards, and full regulatory compliance. Its global footprint spans Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it consistently delivers high standards of safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. The move aligns with a broader strategic recalibration. Following the conclusion of its concession agreement in Tanzania, Çelebi Aviation opted not to continue operations in the country under the existing structure after a comprehensive review. This decision reflects a disciplined, value-driven approach to growth and a clear focus on markets that offer sustainable, long-term opportunities. The expansion into Kenya signals confidence in the region’s aviation potential and supports the company’s ambition to deepen its presence across the continent. Çelebi Aviation continues to prioritize markets where it can leverage its global expertise to drive efficiency, service quality, and long-term value creation. Operations across all existing markets remain uninterrupted, backed by a strong operational infrastructure and an experienced workforce. The company also maintains its commitment to contributing to local economies and employment in every geography it serves. As Çelebi Aviation advances its global growth strategy, this latest step further strengthens its position as a trusted aviation services partner across emerging and established markets alike.
    News

    Çelebi Aviation Enters Kenyan Market, Accelerating Strategic Growth Across Africa

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Çelebi Aviation (www.CelebiAviation.com) has announced its entry into the Kenyan market, marking a key milestone in its expansion across Africa and reinforcing its...
    Enlit Africa has announced dedicated nuclear-focused content within its 2026 conference programme, positioning nuclear not as a theoretical debate but as an execution topic centred on addressing delivery constraints, readiness and real-world decision-making. The event takes place on 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. As countries and utilities balance energy security, affordability and decarbonisation goals, nuclear is increasingly being evaluated through the lens of implementation: life extension, supply chain capability, regulatory readiness, skills and grid integration. Enlit Africa’s nuclear programme coverage is designed to bring together utilities, regulators, policymakers, technology providers and financing stakeholders to engage on these practical enablers. Nuclear programme coverage will include: Koeberg life extension as an execution case study: lessons on planning, delivery and operational readiness for life extension programmes New build readiness and procurement realities: a focus on the governance, sequencing and decision frameworks required to move from intention to delivery Grid integration and system planning: discussions on how nuclear fits within wider system reliability, transmission planning and long-term capacity strategies Supply chain, localisation and skills: what it takes to build durable delivery capability beyond individual projects “The conversation is shifting from whether nuclear is part of the mix to what it would take to deliver it responsibly and successfully,” said Claire Volkwyn, Head of Content, Power, Energy and Water, VUKA Group. “We are structuring this content around execution: readiness, regulation, supply chain, skills and system integration.” Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, forms part of a broader delivery-focused agenda spanning power and water infrastructure. The full programme is available online.
    News

    Enlit Africa 2026 to spotlight Africa’s nuclear execution pathway

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Enlit Africa has announced dedicated nuclear-focused content within its 2026 conference programme, positioning nuclear not as a theoretical debate but as an...
    News

    DHL Expands Heavy Cargo Service

    Staff Writer -
    0
    Heavy Weight Express enables global heavyweight express shipping up to 1,000 kg per piece / 3,000 kg per shipment
    123...128Page 1 of 128
    - Advertisement -

    LATEST NEWS

    MUST READ

    Load more
    Ad

    EDITOR PICKS

    POPULAR POSTS

    POPULAR CATEGORY

    © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Elite Craft Limited.